Saddam Hussein to receive death penalty

Bear in mind that we're superimposing American liberties upon a country that has strictly opposed American influences for years. The idea that Hussein was entitled to a fair trial seems almost ridiculous when you realize that he spent his entire tenure relentlessly preventing the erection of a fair judicial system in Iraq. Such was the nature of his dictatorship: if someone so much as spoke ill of you, that was enough reason for Hussein to have you killed. Public trials were only a formality to a foregone conclusion.

Why do you think Hussein has been so smug during the whole process? He knew that Iraq had nothing resembling a balanced judicial system, so there was little point in doing anything to sway public opinion. He was being subjected to the same mock justice system he helped create. Even Saddam can appreciate a little irony.

But the larger point is that he was tried before an Iraqi court and was sentenced as per Iraqi law. As Suddam is a citizen of Iraq, this seems most fair. Execution may not be the most palatable resolution but it's consistent with the punishments Saddam has doled out upon others, and it is a matter for Iraqis to decide.

NOT AMERICANS.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Except, technically, we haven't won the war in Iraq. We're just kicking around the sand right now, waiting for more absolute orders than "stay the course".

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Originally Posted by Lalala

I just heard that he was executed. I'm sorry, I might get flack for this but it pisses me off. I'm against the death penalty. To me it doesn't matter how horrible you are or how many people you killed, no one deserves to die. I just don't think we have the right to take one's life to justify the crimes one commited. Ugh and hanging of all things...

You speak as if the United States or a church was in charge of his trial. He was tried under Iraqi law, a judicial system that he helped install. Saddam approved the death penalty when he was dictator, then abused it. It's not without irony that the same system convicted Saddam and ordered his death. It is up to the Iraqi people to decide whether they can accept acting as his killers, which they obviously can.

I believe in fairness, not pacifism. Those who would intentionally take a life should be willing to give up their own in payment. This is the proposition that a soldier accepts when defending his country. This is the risk a murderer accepts when he kills an innocent. If you live by the sword, it is only fitting that you die by it also. Fair is fair.

But let's not turn this into a big circle-jerk over whether it's ethically just to hang a despot. The deed has been done and now all we can do is wait to see if anything improves.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

To be fair, Brady, I don't believe that Lalala is objecting to the death penalty for geopolitical reasons. Her(?) argument seems more based upon spiritual conviction. And while that dogma is assuredly fueling her convictions, she would likely object identically if someone were put to death on American soil.

But yes, expecting other cultures to conform to your beliefs makes an assumption that both sides derive their belief system from the same source and that one has woefully erred. Objecting to a death penalty is noble enough, but also naive in thinking that these other cultures can be swayed from practices that they truly believe to be just. This is their choice as a people, and though you may not approve, it is best to accept their decision.

Intolerance isn't necessarily racism, but it is often prejudice. And that leads to worse beliefs if unchecked.

One should merely be gracious in acknowledging our right to object in general. Under Hussein's dictatorship, the people didn't even have that.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

Well then, your stance as a conscientious objector is noted. Fair enough.

I was speaking idiomatically.